Thursday, January 29, 2009

"Words"

One day a door opened
A wall torn down
One day a door opened
A deep love was found
Written words
Opened the door
Deep recesses explored
A perfect love she thought
Written words once brought
One day the door slammed closed
A wall arose
The heart once open
Now is closed
"What words," He said
As her heart bled
No longer important
No longer read
The sun once bright
Now a fading light
The door he once opened
Now closed tight
A day to remember
A day to believe
A perfect love she perceived
That day now ends
What she thought important
Was only pretend

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

A Day Forever Changed

After a morning of errands, I traveled north from the village of Chester, Virginia to my favorite coffee shop, Crossroads. Crossroads Coffee and Ice cream is located at 3600 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, Virginia. Upon entering, I quickly settled in with Bible open and plum tea in hand as my heart readied for God's next adventure.

With a sip of tea and a glance toward the espresso machine, time came to a crawl when an armed robber bound through the door waving his gun erratically toward each of us. The robber began demanding money and beating both cash registers with his hand. In his frustration, he shot at one of the employees and then held his gun on one of the patrons. Will Herring, store owner, bravely surrendered his days earnings. The robber left as erratically as he entered, disappearing into the nearby neighborhood. He was quickly apprehended by Richmond City Police with the aid of two Crossroads patrons.

My day forever changed; each person involved safe, yet now a part of a crime scene. Myself and others relive the crime one my one, while giving our written statements to a Richmond City Police Officer. Sitting outside the Coffee Shop behind yellow crime scene tape, I began to ponder God's Faithfulness. He graciously protected myself and many others from the enemy as he bullied his way into our lives on that warm October day.

"The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." (Exodus 14:14 NLT)

Dearest Heavenly Father, Thank You for protecting myself and others from the selfish attempt of the enemy on this day. You, O' Lord are my protector and stronghold. You gallantly rescued each of us from harm. I love You, Lord and I thank you for reminding me of Your gracious faithfulness in my life. Father, continue to prepare the way before me and use me as I take each step in the journey You have planned for me.

Andrea

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Season's


"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1


God has a purpose for everything we write. I began writing at age 12 years old. For many years, God's purpose in my life was emotional and spiritual healing. During those years He never once asked me to publish.


There is a time and a season for every aspect of our lives. The first 25 years of my "writing life" were clearly for my own well being. My first published work was about four years ago. Using a poem I had recently written, God escorted a new season of writing into my life, the season to be published.


This year God used my therapy dogs to motivate me. He often uses the areas of our lives most important to us, the things we are most passionate about. Because I am passionate about "dog therapy" and their part in the human healing process, I was asked to write an article for a small newspaper in rural Virginia. Since then the article has been reprinted with updates twice more in other places.


I recognize God has placed me in a new season and I am stepping into this season with boldness and confidence. I seek daily to use the gift God so graciously gave me.


In late October 2008, I looked out my bedroom window and captured a vision of beauty in the colorful fall season, the very season man said would not produce beautiful leaves because of the lack of rain. God has an unbelievable sense of time and humor; when we live in His season, "Nothing is too hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:17)."
Seeking Him,
Andrea